Ghosts of the Past XXVIII
Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight.
So….the muse took off on me for a short while and forgot to share the girls' plan with me before she left. I finally coaxed her back and made her do her job. Thanks for waiting.
Chapter 28
"Okay…..why don't you two share with us this plan you've cooked up," Mick said getting back to the topic. "Just what will be so irresistible that Douglas and his father will walk into a trap?"
Beth and Kira exchanged looks and Beth motioned for Kira to begin.
"Josef, you do remember that we're planning that Blues/Jazz festival to raise funds for the Kostan Childhood Leukemia Foundation, don't you?" Kira asked him.
"Of course I do…..we still haven't worked out all the details," Josef replied. "How does the festival play into this?"
"Well, Beth and I were thinking that since we were planning on holding it at the Reflections Resort by Lake Arrowhead, that we could set the trap there. Beth suggested issuing a press release that states that you and I are up at the resort to finalize plans for the charity event. It's off season now so it should appear to be the perfect place to try and kill us," Kira explained.
"You want to make my resort a target?" Josef asked with raised eyebrows. He could see the logic of the choice but couldn't resist teasing the women. "Have you no respect for my property?"
Josef owned the resort up by the lake that consisted of a main lodge, twenty four cabins and a large outdoor amphitheater. The couple had figured it would be the ideal setting for the festival that would support the charity that Josef had set up to help find a cure for the childhood disease. When ribbed for his involvement in running a charity that helped human children, he shrugged the comments off by stating he only was trying to maintain a future blood supply. Kira knew that he really did want to do good things but hated to admit it, figuring it would ruin his ruthless image. They had not set a date for the festival as yet while they tried to coordinate the bands and find the right time to hold it.
"We think it is secluded enough to attract the Carringtons. Whatever plans Douglas is cooking up, he will likely drop them to take advantage of this opportunity," Beth answered. She looked anxiously between the men. "Of course with it being your place we can prepare and not let him destroy any part of it. Kira said the resort isn't in your name so they won't suspect a trap."
Josef nodded to Mick.
"These women have devious minds. I think they're on to something."
"There is no way that Carrington can learn that you own the resort?" Mick asked, not knowing himself that Josef owned the place.
"No, it's owned by a holding company within a holding company. I have a human manager who is very loyal and would never betray me," he replied.
"Josef Kostan putting his faith in a human…I didn't see that coming," Mick chuckled.
"Edward Cummings is Travis Cummings human father. You know Travis, he works for Claudia," Kira informed him.
"Oh…I see," Mick acknowledged, knowing that Travis had been turned seven years ago by Claudia at Josef's request. The young man had been on the wrong end of a rogue attack and saving him from permanent death must have earned Edward Cumming's eternal gratitude. Mick had never been told why Josef had made that request of the head Cleaner.
"Why would a Cleaner turn a human?" Beth asked in confusion. Kira had not explained this connection when they formed their idea.
"Because Josef asked her nicely and because he knew Edward. It turns out that Claudia is a good sire even though she claims not to like humans," Kira said with a smile. "I think she just liked having a man to boss around but Travis has adjusted to vampire life very well."
"Edward was very happy to still have his son around even if he's a creature of the night that he won't betray us so it's a win-win situation," Josef said smugly.
"And once again you only tell me half of the story. I don't think you fully grasp the concept of what it is to be a best friend," Mick muttered.
"Relax Mick, this was Travis' secret, I had to respect that. He worries about his father's safety, doesn't want any angry vamps going after his dad. Not every vampire is happy with the Cleaners' decisions," Josef told him.
Mick nodded, knowing that Josef made sense. He could identify with Travis' reluctance to reveal his history.
"I see. And you are right; our ladies have created a very workable plan. Knowing how much the Carringtons hate us, I don't doubt they'll leap at this chance," he agreed. Turning to Beth, he put an arm around her shoulders. "Will you use your contacts to set up the press release?"
"I think that Rita will jump at the chance to report this piece of juicy gossip," Beth replied, referring to her friend still at BuzzWire. "With Josef's money and after that appearance at Hearst, I am sure this will get nationwide coverage. Josef and Kira are A list news."
"I would hope so…I strive to be at the top of all lists," Josef commented. He tugged on Kira's hand and drew her down onto his lap. "Well done my pet, if Carrington is able to resist this lure you have dangled before him, he's smarter than I thought."
"No Carrington is smarter than us," Kira declared as she circled her arms around his neck. "He'll take the bait; he won't be able to ignore it."
"Then all we have to do is create a scenario that doesn't get my resort destroyed," Josef said in satisfaction.
"If you give me a layout of the resort I can help with that," Mick told him.
"I can do better than that. I have plenty of photos and the original blueprints for the entire resort when it was built in 1936."
"You do realize that they will most likely go with something involving fire, don't you? Beheading requires getting too close and silver bullets call for a very good aim. I'm betting he'll go with a fire bomb," Mick said seriously.
"I am aware of that," Josef answered grimly. He stroked his hand down Kira's hair and smiled darkly. "I've been fire bombed before," he reminded them. They were all aware of the attempt John Whitely had made on Josef's life not so long ago. "The resort is insured, I always rebuild."
"I trust in you Mick, Douglas will not succeed in any attempt to harm us," Kira said positively. "We will set a trap he can't evade and we will put an end to this war before it really begins."
"I'll do my best," Mick said with a faint smile. "Just give me time to review the layout, check it in person and formulate a plan before we release the press announcement. I can't help thinking the Carringtons will move fast once they get the news."
"Kira and I will work out the details and tell you when we're ready. When you say okay, I'll go to Rita," Beth promised.
"I like this," Josef approved. "If these humans think that we are easily exterminated they have another thought coming. They forget that they are dealing with centuries of experience in surviving, we don't cower in the face of human hatred." He could feel a small tremor that ran through Kira's body at his words and hugged her close to reassure her. Making a promise to himself, Josef swore that no Carrington would ever hurt her again.
*ML*
Three days later in Palm Springs…..
Vampire PI, Brian Elkhart had been more than happy to assist Mick St. John when the LA vamp had called and asked for a favor. He had gained a lot of respect for St. John when they had worked together and did not like the information Mick had shared about the Carrington family.
As darkness began to fall, Brian moved silently along the tall hedge that lined James Carrington's property. After consulting the house plans from the firm that built many of the homes in the development, Brian knew the layout of James' house. He crouched down behind a large flowering shrub that was located near the den and aimed his recording device towards the open window. Settling down to wait, he was ready when James and Douglas entered the room ten minutes later. He knew Mick would love this conversation once he could hear it.
"Tell me Douglas; now that Kelvin has headed home, what is your plan to destroy these creatures? How do we accomplish this revenge you promise?" James enquired as they settled down to talk.
"We know that fire is the best way to destroy them without getting too close. Kostan's home and office have heavy security so they are not good targets," Douglas replied. "However….Kostan spends a great deal of time in Kira's club Dusk to Dawn. Since it caters to vampires as well as humans, it is more vulnerable and not as secure. We could send in a couple specialists who could plant bombs in various spots and not be caught. I have the names of some mercenaries who are trained in this. With the bombs we can take out Kira, Kostan and more vampires. With luck we could remove St. John as well; he frequents the club a lot."
"How can you be sure of the timing? How would we know when to set off the bombs?" James asked.
"I am still working the details out but if we can plant bombs then we can also bug the place. If he needs a nudge, there are ways to lure Kostan there at a certain time. He cares a great deal for Kira, he would come running if he thought she needed him," Douglas said thoughtfully.
"There are humans that go to that club Douglas. Can we justify taking their lives as well?"
"We can wait until the early hours of the morning. Most humans head home after two A.M., only vampires keep the early morning hours," Douglas explained. "Any other humans that would be present are Kira's employees, supporters of these bloodsuckers. If they are sacrificed, it is not important."
"We are supposed to value human life son," James reminded him.
"Dad…those who serve vampires are corrupted, we should not be required to protect them," Douglas protested passionately. "We have no obligation to save those who have all ready sold their souls to the enemy. We have to concentrate on getting the revenge our family so richly deserves."
End chapter.
So there we go….plans in motion. Now we have to hope that Douglas decides to fall for the trap. I am glad the muse decided to have Mick one step ahead of Douglas by sending Brian in to spy. Thanks for reading.
